Tbm

[Mace2004]

Seeing as torpedos were brought up, and since there are so many folks here with reams of historical data, anyone got any idea of how many ships were sunk in WWII by torpedo bombers and by what type and if the ships were underway or anchored?  

Maybe the 38 could carry torps but have never heard of them ever using them.  (Not that the Army Air Forces had any success against ships that weren't anchored)  It's also my impression that Midway pretty much proved low-alt torpedo attack on a heavily defended battle group was not tactically sound.  Of course, you could make the argument that the tactic was not employed as intended since the bombers attacked alone and thus received the BG's full attention.  

The only airborne torpedo attacks of note that I recall would be Pearl Harbor, Bismarck, and possibly, a British attack on an Italian port.  Ships were sitting ducks at Pearl.  Think there was only one hit of significance on Bismarck which, of course, was the lucky hit in the rudders.

Mace

[jon]

Originally posted by frank3
 
 .

And remember, it's .303 might be useless,

.303's were british they were .30 cal. but .308 cal. or beter known as the 30.06 remington;)

[Saxman]

IIRC, at Coral Sea the American attack WAS properly coordinated, and the TBDs were rather effective. However, as I said the attacks were better coordinated, and the Devastators weren't going in without fighter cover.